Mind Games

Confession: I waste so much time and energy in wishing for different circumstances. When it’s frigid cold, I long for summer weather. When it’s blazing hot, I yearn for crisp autumn temperatures. I found recently that this is how my mind works so often-I reject today’s circumstances and daydream about how I would like things to be. I know this train of thinking is arrogant and foolish, but my mind so often claims this pattern as its default. I want more control over the thoughts that swish around in my head. I want my first reaction to the day’s challenges to be positive.

God worked through my 13-month-old to help me realize that I needed to change my thinking this week. We were playing at a park together one morning and Zane wanted to go down a big slide. So I set him in my lap and we whizzed down the metal slide until SPLASH! We slid right into a giant puddle of rain water at the end! My first reaction in my mind was, “Oh man! Now we’re all wet and we still have to walk back home! How did I not see the ‘lake’ on the slide?!” Zane’s reaction was quite the opposite. After we both stood up, he started splashing and giggling in the remaining water that hadn’t been mopped up by our cabooses. His abandonment and joy were contagious. I joined in with the laughing and splashing and what ensued was a priceless memory of pure happiness. We were still soaked. We were still a mess. But we chose joy instead of frustration.

After this simple illustration, I realized that I was taking life way too seriously and negatively. Daydreaming was leaving me empty and discontent. I was ready to discipline my rebellious mind and ask the Holy Spirit to counteract my weaknesses. I was ready to trust God more readily. I was finally ready to choose joy.

So now to help keep me accountable, I want to share my goals with you for Holy Spirit-controlled thinking for this fall:~Each morning I am going to ask God to help me be available to accomplish His purposes for the day.~Through the Holy Spirit’s power I am going to try to accept each day as a precious gift from Him, and thank God for it instead of wishing it away.~Instead of wasting so much time and energy longing for what is not, I am going to invest that energy in trusting the Savior.~Only God knows how much time and energy I will have each day, so I will ask Him to direct my thinking and decision making so that I can be the most available to others and to Him. ~When I find myself reacting to situations negatively, I will stop and review God’s truths and promises to get me back on the right track.

May you and I claim the Holy Spirit’s power this week in our minds and hearts! May you and I cling to the hope that God gives us even in the toughest circumstances! May you and I choose joy!

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:5-6)

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)